Everyday socialism or the socialist everyday? Dong Zhongchao’s visual encyclopaedia of ordinary Maoist living

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This article analyzes Dong Zhongchao's visuals, relating nostalgia for Mao-era socialism's materials to idealized poster images.

Nostalgia ties the lived experiences of the Mao era to the material culture depicted in posters from that time.
The analysis contrasts the idealized portrayals in Maoist posters with the complex realities captured by everyday objects.
Through visual pairing, narratives can shift from pure nostalgia to acknowledging the gaps in the socialist transformation.
Engaging with Dong's work enriches understanding of memories shaped by the Mao era in today's China.

Emily Williams (2025) studied this question.

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